FROM DAYS GONE BY

20 Years Ago

From The Files Of June 20, 1991

’91

Monday night and Tuesday’s rains may have saved the corn crop for now here in Fulton County, but a great deal more moisture will be needed for a successful crop. The rains this week came just in time to allow the corn to unfurl. The recent weather period has been the hottest and driest ever experienced for May and June, according to Don Fowler, county extension agent.

Sen. Robert C. Jubelirer along with Reps. Dick Hess and Patrick Fleagle have announced that the Department of Health has extended the life of the Fulton County State Health Center for 31 days. The legislators, who met with health officials in April in an effort to stop the planned closing of the facility, expressed relief that important health services will continue to be made available to the community through the month of July.

McConnellsburg Jaycees held their annual awards and installation banquet May 4 at the American Legion. Special awards presented included: Boss of the Year - Mc- Connellsburg Women of Today in recognition of their support and assistance throughout the years; Past President’s Award to Denny Benedick, and Paul Johnston was named Jaycee of the Year.

People are remarking on the large flag which can be seen flying atop Tuscarora Mountain from Route 522 north.

Next week is Hustontown Fire Co.’s carnival week with special activities every night, rides, eats, etc.

Births at the Medical Center: a son to Mr. and Mrs. Mark Clapsaddle of Hustontown on June 8; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Barron Barley of McConnellsburg on June 11; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Larry Kyne of Berkeley Springs on June 12.

Joan Murdock and Joseph Mellott were united in marriage June 15 at Needmore Bible Church. Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Murdock and Mr. and Mrs. Grover Mellott, all of McConnellsburg.

Father Benedict Wolf, founder and first pastor of St. Stephen Catholic Church of McConnellsburg, celebrated his golden jubilee (29 years) anniversary of the priesthood by offering a Trindentine Mass in Thanksgiving on the Solemn Feast of Corpus Christie June 2 at the Holy Family Church in Dayton, Ohio.

30 Years Ago

From The Files Of June 18, 1981

’81

An unoccupied home, located on the Clear Ridge

Road, just over the Huntingdon County line, was destroyed by fire early Tuesday morning. The property, known locally as the old Tom Cromwell place, is owned by Buddy and Judy Saledino of Norristown, Pa. The fire apparently started in the west wall of the kitchen, but the cause has not yet been determined.

Five members of the Leonard Shaw family of Hustontown were injured in a car-truck head-on collision on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on Route 30 in Franklin County. Mrs. Linda Shaw, 34, in the intensive care unit of Washington County Hospital and son Byron, 12, in the intensive care unit of Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, are both listed in critical condition, with severe head injuries. Her husband, Leonard, 34, is in satisfactory condition, with a hip injury in Chambersburg Hospital. Daughter Mindy Jo, 7, was released from Chambersburg Hospital on Sunday, having been kept overnight for treatment of lacerations and abrasions, and son Cory was released on Saturday without being admitted, following treatment for minor injuries. Police said the accident happened on Route 30 between St. Thomas and Chambersburg when the car collided headon with a truck, which was attempting to turn in High’s Store parking area near the intersection.

Southern Fulton’s Dave Gordon pitched a three-hit shutout and doubled in a run to help his own cause in the Indians 3-0 state baseball quarterfinal win over Mount Union last Thursday.

A Mercersburg man was charged this week with aggravated assault, which was later changed to criminal homicide in connection with the death of James H. Eichelberger, 49 of McConnellsburg, following a fight in the downstairs bar at the Glen Nell Hotel on June 13. Police were not called in to investigate the fight until Sunday when the seriousness of Eichelberger’s condition became known.

Chambersburg Hospital has announced an increase in room rates from $117 to $140 a day for a typical two-bed room. The new rates went into effect on Monday.

Births at the Medical Center: a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. David Strode of St. Thomas on June 9; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Roderick Nunemaker of Greencastle on June 10.

40 Years Ago

From The Files Of July 1, 1971

’71

Mr. and Mrs. Robert McDaid of Hustontown received word this week that their son, Roger S.

McDaid, now serving with the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Two offices in the Fulton County Courthouse were broken into early Monday evening of this week and an attempt was made to “jimmy” open the safe containing the county receipts for the day. Apparently, the thieves were interrupted in this attempt by the arrival of the janitor, Paul Sipes, who was making his evening rounds of the county building.

Former Fulton Countians, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Black of Oklahoma City, Okla., write that their son, David, is now touring as the pianist on the Jim Nabors Show.

State Secretary of Agriculture Jim McHale on Thursday announced the discovery of southern corn leaf blight infection in four commonwealth counties by Pennsylvania State University pathologists.

Barbara Strait, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Coy Strait of Warfordsburg, graduated from the Washington County Hospital School of Nursing on June 12.

Eugene Ramsey, 42, McConnellsburg, was seriously injured on Sunday when a 1966 Dodge he was driving failed to negotiate a right curve on LR 29046 at Fort Littleton, crossed the road, over an embankment, through a fence and struck a tree. The accident was not discovered until several hours later, at which time Ramsey was taken by ambulance to the Medical Center and transferred to Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown.

Births at the Medical Center: a son to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Skiles of McConnellsburg on June 20; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Bishop of McConnellsburg on June 22; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Marshall of McConnellsburg on June 23.

First National Bank in McConnellsburg. The work, which will transform the building to a colonial design, is scheduled to be completed in the fall. Interior improvements include new offices, air conditioning and a new ceiling and lights.

Borough Council once again looked at the problem of the town dump on Tuscarora Mountain. A sanitarian from the Board of Health told the council that the improvements at the dump are not satisfactory and urged the council to take steps toward using better method of disposal, such as a sanitary landfill.

State police investigated two accidents on Sunday. The first, at 3:30 a.m., happened when Maynard E. Mellott, Needmore, fell asleep at the wheel and his car ran into guardrails on Rt. 30 near Patterson Run. Mellott was not injured. Both drivers were taken to the Medical Center and released after treatment following a collision on a township road about four miles west of Hustontown at 3:15 p.m. A pickup truck driven by Thelma L. Kesselring, Hustontown, pulled out of a side road and hit a car driven by J. Ralph Edwards, Waterfall.

An unpaved roadway on a four-mile stretch of Legislative Route 29014 in Bethel and Belfast townships is scheduled to be paved and improved soon. Relocation of this roadway, between Dott and Needmore, off U.S. 522, will eliminate hazardous grades and curves.

A homecoming was held at Green Hill Presbyterian Church on June 18. The present church building was built 126 years ago. Before that services were held out of doors in pleasant weather and in a small building in bad weather.

A new Social Security law was signed by President Kennedy last week that allows men to retire at 62 with reduced benefits, instead of waiting to age 65.

The minimum price support rate for Fulton County wheat in 1961 will be $1.90 per bushel, A.B. Ruppenthal, chairman of the Fulton County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee, announced this week.

The Fulton County Cancer Crusade had donations totalling $2,814 this year, well over the $2,600 quota. Fred Mellott reported the success at the annual meeting of the county unit of the American Cancer Society Thursday.

The Thompson correspondent reports that the farmers have had good weather for haymaking.

Births at the Medical Center: a son to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Fischer, Crystal Spring, June 21; a son to Mr. and Mrs. John Powell, Warfordsburg, June 22; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Keebaugh, Hustontown, on June 24.

A special dinner was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wilds, Fort Littleton, to celebrate daughter, Janice’s birthday on Sunday.

Virgil Hendershot of Clear Spring, who had his foot badly mashed in a corn plow, was visited Sunday by Mr. and Mrs. N.K. Hendershot of Warfordsburg.

Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Barnhart, Needmore, announce the engagement of their daughter, Linda, to John Covalt of Needmore.

Eight 4-H members from Fulton County attended the Pennsylvania 4-H Club Congress held at the Pennsylvania State University from June 27-30. They are: Ruth Ann Akers, Needmore; Nancy Johnson, Kathy Bollinger and Tim Mosebey, all of Wells Tannery; Roberta Golden and Harold Keefer, Warfordsburg; Allen Shanholtz, Amaranth; and Willis Decker, Harrisonville. They were accompanied by Doris Forbes, extension home economist, and Fred Thomas, assistant county agent.

Deaths: George Ash, 81, Bedford, on June 21; R. Hayes Winter, 84, retired Shippensburg grocer, on June 26; Andrew T. Stewart, 55, McConnellsburg, on June 28; Harry McElhaney, 84, Hustontown, on June 24; and Richard J. Wible, 67, St. Thomas, on June 30.

60 Years Ago

From The Files of July 5, 1951

’51

Sherry Paylor, 3-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Maynard Paylor of McConnellsburg, suffered a painful injury to the arm on Tuesday when bitten by a dog.

Lindell Hunter, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hunter, was also injured on Tuesday when she was struck on the leg with a sickle which was being used to cut weeds.

Finlay Wible and Miss Judy Guyer are registered in the graduate school at State College for the summer term.

Lyle Duffey, Mrs. Ada Miles and Mrs. Reed Paylor are attending summer school at Shippensburg.

Terry Allen, 2-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Fox of Knobsville, underwent abdominal surgery at Chambersburg Hospital on Wednesday for the correction of an intestinal disorder. He was born at the Medical Center on May 8.

Dr. J.J. Palmer of Needmore died at Fulton County Medical Center on July 3 following a stroke.

Military funeral services were held from Sideling Hill Christian Church on Sunday for Gerald K. Sponsler, 20- year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Sponsler of Saluvia. The body of the young soldier was the first to be returned here from the Korean War where he was killed in action last year.

A wave of auto vandalism has hit this community. Vehicles of Aulden Cutchall, Robert Hamil, D.H. Fraker and Alvin Crouse were either stolen or tampered with during the past week.

William Boyd Davis and Elva Mae Bookheimer were married on July 1.

Three generations of dentists are pictured in this issue – F.K. Stevens, who retired on June 15 after 57 years of serving the people of Fulton County; his son, Dr. Russell Stevens, and the latter’s son, Dr. Frank Stevens, both practicing in Bellefonte.

A surprise party was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Runk of Dublin Mills on June 22 in honor of the 16th birthday of their daughter, Helen.

Harold W. Douglas, a well-known Hancock automobile dealer and a native of Fulton County, has been named a director of the Hancock Bank.

A group of young people gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chalmer Peck to celebrate the 20th birthday of Pvt. Dick and Pvt. Bob Mentzer, sons of Mr. and Mr. Keller Mentzer of Needmore. The next day, the twins left for San Antonio, Texas.

Births: a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Shadle of McConnellsburg on June 28; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Foster Ciseny of McConnellsburg on July 3; a son, Rex Allen, to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Garman of Harrisburg on June 27.

Patty, Nancy and Linda Fraker of Fort Littleton all underwent tonsillectomies at Chambersburg Hospital last week.

Birth: a daughter, Virginia Carolyn, to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hershey of Laidig on June 25.

All boys in Fulton County up to 14 years of age have been invited to take part in the water snake killing contest now being sponsored by the Everett chapter of the Izaak Walter League. Three cash prizes will be awarded to the boys turning in the most snake tails before August 20.

Melvin B. Roddy and Edna Beatrice Matthias were married June 29.

Glen R. Bitner, who was installed this week as president of the local Lions Club, is pictured in this issue.

Prof. and Mrs. Matthew Lewis of town and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ride celebrated their 25th anniversaries on June 25 at the Crider home in Friedens, Pa.

Miss Helen Miller is presently employed by the State Department in Harrisburg.

Stock buyer J.R. Fields of Clear Ridge was buying cattle at Harrisonville on Saturday. He paid 10-1/2 cents for good calves.

Some of the farmers are now cutting wheat.

A 24-year- old German refugee librarian has discovered a rare pre-Luther edition of the Bible in a vault at Juniata College in Huntingdon. According to his calculations, it was printed in Switzerland in 1474.

Miss Martha Lodge has completed her Boston University course in physical education. She was one of 126 colorfully costumed girls who appeared in the pageant, “The Golden Name,” which was presented to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Sargeant School of Physical Education, now a part of Boston University.

Horace C. Strait and Helen Hershberger were married June 26.

Melvin C. Sponsler and Marjorie Williams were married on June 20.’

Kermit Bard and Hope Black were married on June 27.

Mrs. Flora Gallaher is critically ill at the home of her daughter, Mrs. M.J. Bisker, in Harrisburg, with small hopes of her recovery.

Rev. and Mrs. J.B. Meloy and family left here on Tuesday for their new field of work in Mill Hall, Pa.

Thomas Johnson frac- tured a leg at the knee in a fall last Friday at the William Clevenger farm. He is now a patient in Chambersburg Hospital.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Russell Wible of Knobsville on June 24.

The Knobsville baseball team trimmed McConnellsburg on Thursday evening by a score of 17-7.

Mrs. Minera Miller has moved into her new 4-room bungalow at Clear Ridge. She had been living in the Jr. QUAM hall for a while.

Anna, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hayes Hershey of Clear Ridge, broke her arm last week when she fell while picking cherries.

Death: Mrs. Tom Johnson of Mount Union.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Parsons of Burnt Cabins are the proud parents of a 10-pound boy, born on Monday morning.